What To Do in Santa Cruz, Portugal
Short answer: beaches, surf, sunsets and easy coastal walks with a couple of neat cultural stops and day trips if you fancy exploring. Below is a clear, scannable guide to plan a day or a long weekend in Santa Cruz (Torres Vedras).
Top things to do
1) Start on Praia de Santa Cruz (Praia Centro & Física)
Wide sand, lifeguards in season and cafés on the promenade ideal for a classic beach day. Mornings are calmer; summer afternoons can see a breezy nortada, so swim or surf early, then return for sunset.
2) Learn to surf (or level up)
Santa Cruz has friendly beach breaks and lots of room to practise. Beginner tip: book morning lessons for lighter winds and smaller waves. Intermediates: shoulder seasons (spring/autumn) bring more consistent lines.
Keen to try? We run small-group and private lessons in Santa Cruz!
3) Sunset at Penedo do Guincho (the sea arch)
The postcard view. Head down for golden hour and watch the Atlantic wrap around the arch. Great from the sand or the clifftop path.
4) Walk the boardwalks & viewpoints
Stroll the clifftop wooden paths above the main beach for big horizons and easy photos. It’s an all-ages activity and a perfect pre-dinner leg stretch.
5) Pop into the Azenha de Santa Cruz (Watermill)
A small but charming interpretive centre in a restored 15th-century mill a quick cultural stop that breaks up beach time. Handy if you’ve got kids or are curious about local heritage.
6) Beach-hop: Praia Azul & Santa Rita
Ten minutes in either direction buys you more space and slightly different sandbank angles. Great for walkers, longboard glides on mellow days, and quieter picnics.
7) Coffee, snacks and something sweet
Beach bars do the job for toasties and cold drinks. For a local treat, try Pastel de Feijão (almond-bean pastry) from nearby Torres Vedras.
8) Events: Ocean Spirit (summer)
In late July, Santa Cruz hosts a surf & ocean-sports festival with comps, music and beachside activities. It’s busy (in a good way) and adds energy to evenings.
9) Easy day trips
Peniche (30–40 min): harbour strolls, Baleal for learner/intermediate surf, Supertubos for wave-watching on bigger days.
Ericeira (35–45 min): cobbled lanes, seafood and World Surfing Reserve scenery.
10) Family-friendly extras
Morning beach games, shell hunting on lower tides, short cliff paths with plenty of benches for snack stops, simple and relaxed.
One-day plan (saveable)
08:30 Coffee + beach walk on Praia de Santa Cruz
09:30 Surf lesson / dip
12:00 Lunch by the promenade
15:00 Watermill visit or siesta
18:30 Boardwalk stroll
20:00 Sunset at Penedo do Guincho + dinner
Weekend plan (quick sketch)
Day 1: Beach + surf + sunset arch
Day 2: Beach-hop (Praia Azul/Santa Rita) + Azenha + relaxed dinner
Optional Day 3: Peniche or Ericeira loop
When to go
June–September: warm, lively, lifeguards on duty; book ahead.
April–May & October: fewer crowds, pleasant temps, reliable surf.
Nov–March: quiet, dramatic seas, better for surfers than sunbathers.
Getting there
About 1 hour north of Lisbon by car (A8 → coastal roads). Buses run via Torres Vedras; schedules vary by season.
Practical tips
Swim between the flags; heed lifeguards.
For surf, aim early or late in summer.
Pack a light layer ocean breezes can be fresh even on sunny days.
Many local beaches fly Blue Flag in season for water quality and facilities.
Final thoughts
Santa Cruz is the easy win on Portugal’s west coast: simple beach days, beginner-friendly surf, big sunsets, and a couple of low-key cultural stops. Stay near the promenade to be first to the waves and last to the light and if you want a hand getting started, our instructors have boards and smiles ready.
Planning tools & further reading
For live surf conditions and cams, check Surfline – Santa Cruz before you go. Surfline
For official beach and landmark info (incl. the sea-arch), see VisitPortugal: Praia de Santa Cruz. Visit Portugal
Curious about the Azenha de Santa Cruz opening times and what’s inside? The municipal page has details. Visit Torres Vedras
Visiting in summer? Keep an eye on Ocean Spirit festival updates for dates and programme. Ocean Spirit
Want to confirm Blue Flag status this season? The municipality lists the awarded beaches for 2025. Câmara Municipal de Torres Vedras
